Final Orders (near side) leads over the last © Photo Healy Racing
Runner-up on his chasing bow at Downpatrick in September, Final Orders (9/2) hasn't tasted defeat since and made it five wins in a row over fences in the Paddy Power Cheltenham Fanzone Handicap Chase.
Up 11lb for a course and distance Christmas victory, the Flat-bred by Camelot tracked the leaders and moved into second three out.
Moving up on the stands' side in the straight to challenge the pace-setting Rebel Gold Keith Donoghue's mount was ridden to lead before the last and stayed on well to score by four lengths. Barnacullia kept on from off the pace to grab second close home with A Wave Of The Sea winner of the corresponding race in the previous two years, having to settle for third on this occasion.
After Perceval Legallois in the three-mile hurdle, it was a handicap double for red-hot winning trainer Gavin Cromwell who said: “He has massive scope, they are big fences around here but he just has so much scope. He loves it and is just thriving off it.
“He was off 140 there today and he's only 102 over hurdles so it's been a massive transformation.
“When we schooled him at home he jumped great, he's very clever, but he really came alive when we ran him.
“That's obviously the best race he's run in and Keith said it was the best feel he's given him.
“I don't know where we go from here, we're probably gone out of the Grand Annual now and we might have to have a look at the Arkle. We'll definitely have to consider it anyway.
“We went there last year with Gabynako and it's a race that if you jump really well it does bring you into the race and does give you a chance.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
